The Lion is complete.....

Samburu - by Jenny McWhinney

It's done - happy dance - and I'm really pleased with it.  Now I need to back it and turn it into a wall hanging.  I've found some very nice light brown cord fabric and some dark brown crushed velvet I plan on using for the binding.  Add a pocket to the back & then I can hang it up.

4 months of work, on and off, to get this finished.  Now I've just started on my family tree cross stitch, which once there are more then a couple of dozen stitches, I'll post a photo.

Tomorrow is December 1, so there are 25 sleeps left to Christmas.....not long now, but I'm almost ready, but have an item to get done for youngest daughter, so I'd better get cracking.....

Thanks for stopping by

Karen

Finished........and WIP....

I've finally finished a couple of things that have been clogging up my lounge.


Humbug front



Humbug Bottom

Humbug back



This little Humbug design was a freebie from  http://www.victoriasampler.com/ from their freebie pattern collection.  I did make a mistake in the chart when doing the Algerian Eyelets, but as they are at the back, it's not that obvious (unless you look at the chart).

It was an enjoyable stitch, and next time I'll follow the chart lol. 

This rug was another freebie design, but was started so long ago, I have no idea where I found the pattern.  However, I did make it bigger and use some oddments of acrylic yarn I had.  We were away from home, so I wanted something that I could do without the need to concentrate.  I think it looks quite good across the back of the lounge.

Now to the Lion....



The lion is progressing quite well.  My aim is to finish it completely well before Christmas (only 32 sleeps - can you believe it) and I'm confident I'll make it.   I want to start a family tree cross stitch before then, so I must get this finished.  Some people think it looks way too neat, but once it's finished I'll add some scars & stray hairs etc, so watch this space.........

Thanks for stopping by....

Karen

More show results......

 Our second local show gave the above piece a first prize, plus my first ever blue ribbon. It's called Wrens & Grevillea by Semco.

 I entered this piece in the second show as the jacket from the first show had gone to it's new home.

So, overall for this one was a first and a second.  The A3 quilt challenge got the second prize in this show as well.  Not bad for my own creation.

Christmas is now just over 5 weeks away.  I'm pleased to say my shopping is almost done (I don't like leaving things to the last minute), so I can sit back and relax a bit & finish the Lion off, re-arrange my sewing room and plan my next major stitch.

Thanks for stopping by....

Karen

Back.......

It's almost 2 weeks since I last posted.  A sad time for the family with the passing of a close family member.  However, the house is returning to normal now everyone has gone home.

During the 2 weeks, I completed Shaun the Sheep (from the free pattern from PurpleLindaCrafts), as there were times when I needed to occupy myself with something, when we weren't reminiscing or baking for afternnon tea for after the service.  Mind you I don't cook, but if I'd had a video camera.....well.
Anyway, I like Shaun.  The Lion hasn't had much done, but as we return to just the 2 of us at home, I will continue on working on him.
During the 2 weeks, we had our local show too.  My quilt challenge did well, placing with a second and the Borinia & Fringed Violets placed first, but the Willow pattern was unplaced.  The candlewicked cushion placed second as well, along with a first for a fine crocheted doily & a cross stitch on linen.  I had 4 pieces unplaced, but I was over the moon and it did brighten up a sad few days.....
Thanks for stopping by......
Karen

Still on the Lion.....

Work is progressing slowly - I had the worst Hay Fever last week & wasn't able to concentrate on doing this.  However, the tablets have now kicked in, and I can at least breathe easier.  The mane is slowly coming together - mainly because I found a great crochet pattern last week at http://www.purplelindacrafts.co.uk/ of Shaun the Sheep.  A great free pattern too, which I just couldn't resist, so check it out.  I've done an ear so far & have started on the main body, so lots more to do.  Someone even asked me last week, 'what child is that for?'  Answer - 'Me'.  Don't know why people expect you to be making soft toys for a child - I'm going to enjoy my second childhood.....

Thanks for reading......

Work in progress.....

These 2 came to visit, surprising since I told them off for trying to eat one of my Plum trees.  These amazing animals have eaten Hydrangea leaves, Crucifix Orchid leaves, Umbrella tree leaves & mangled a jade tree.  Everything has to have a wire guard around it, until it's big enough to not be affected if it gets eaten.

Here's an update picture of the Lion.  It's coming along nicely now that I've finished the head & am working on the mane.  There is still more tweaking to do on the face but that can be added once I've finished.  I'm hoping more mane will make the face look more in proportion....

Thanks for stopping by....

Christmas sewing done.....

Finally - these 2 have literally been 'hanging around' for a few weeks now, so I'm glad they're finished.

 This one is for daughter no 2 - her favourite colour is purple.....

and this one is for daughter no 1 - her favourite colour is pink.

I didn't use a pattern as such, but the black& white/coloured strip was done from a jelly roll book called Strip Delight.   The 2 black & white fabrics & main colour are joined into strips of 3, then cut at 60 degrees to be joined in triangles, making a long strip of fabric.  The remainder of the bag is my work in adding the trim.  I just bought .2 metre of 2 black & white fabrics (which was enough for both bags), contrasting lining of about 1 metre (each bag), and main fabric of about 1.2 metres (each bag).  I used iron-on interfacing for the handles & added some plastic for the bottom of the bag (the stuff you use to create quiting designs), and then bought some ric-rac & fancy trim, and that's it.

Have a great week....